Should I backup the cookies folder?

[webmal]

I need some advice; I am going to format my drive and reinstall XP. I have hundreds of favourite websites (this folder has been backed-up) where they require password access, should I backup the XP cookies folder too?

Thanks

 

[SoylentGreen]

Yes if you don't want to bother logging back in.

 

[webmal]

Originally posted by: SoylentGreen
Yes if you don't want to bother logging back in.

I understand that but will it work? Has anybody tried it?

I am doing a clean install so I do not want to install unnecessary cr@p. Thanks.

 

[Navid]

I do not believe that the internet explorer password information is kept with the cookies. They may be somewhere in the registry. So, if you re-install windows and then restore your cookies, I don't think you can login to any web sire without having to type in the passwords again.

Edit:
No, I have not done what you are suggesting.
I prefer to enter passwords every time. I guess I am paranoid.

This is a utility with a free limited time demo version that might help.
http://www.rixler.com/ie_password_recovery.htm

 

[webmal]

The Rixler software is a good solution but it cost $25. I believe the demo will not restore any IE passwords. Is there any free alternative?

Thanks.

 

[LegacyGTDude]

I always do the Internet Explorer, File, Import/Export and export the Favorites and Cookies to the files, save the file, then do the Import/Export and inport them into the new build.

It does save my stored passwords,.....

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: webmal
Is there any free alternative?

Try this one.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/pspv.html

 

[Harvey]

Switch to Mozilla/Netscape. They use a single cookie file, COOKIES.TXT. As long as you back it up, you can safely edit it with an ASCII text editor to remove any hostile cookies.

Spyware removal software often finds hostile cookies. Since some sites only work with IE, I have it set not to accept cookies. If I need them for a site, I manually turn them on for the time I'm on the site. Then, I turn them off, again. To make sure I'm clean, I run a bat file at startup that deletes all IE cookies with every reboot.

I don't mind manually logging onto sites so on my system, my NS cookie file is a zero byte read-only file, and I set my browser to accept all cookies. I have no problems with sites that otherwise work with NS.

 

[webmal]

Originally posted by: LegacyGTDude
I always do the Internet Explorer, File, Import/Export and export the Favorites and Cookies to the files, save the file, then do the Import/Export and inport them into the new build.

It does save my stored passwords,.....

Thanks man. I did a clean install today and IE's import/export feature saved my stored passwords.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: webmal

Originally posted by: SoylentGreen
Yes if you don't want to bother logging back in.

I understand that but will it work? Has anybody tried it?

I am doing a clean install so I do not want to install unnecessary cr@p. Thanks.

I tried it the other day and my impression is that it didn't work. Using Win2000 SP4. I've been going to a number of my past sites and they don't seem to know me in the way they should if the cookies are working. It's not a giant PITA so far. Now what really mattered to me was keeping my Favorites folder, and that worked out peachy.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: LegacyGTDude
I always do the Internet Explorer, File, Import/Export and export the Favorites and Cookies to the files, save the file, then do the Import/Export and inport them into the new build.

It does save my stored passwords,.....

Ah, good tip.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: webmal

Originally posted by: LegacyGTDude
I always do the Internet Explorer, File, Import/Export and export the Favorites and Cookies to the files, save the file, then do the Import/Export and inport them into the new build.

It does save my stored passwords,.....

Thanks man. I did a clean install today and IE's import/export feature saved my stored passwords.

Anandtech is so cool.

I have my passwords saved in my own data, but I have to look that up when needed. Even without reinstalling Windows, I somehow need to relogin again at many sites. Not going to let Gator do that for me (I don't condone Gator, or permit it on my computer). I guess maybe there's other software that will manage your passwords effectively, but I get by doing what I'm doing.